Developments in the law of privacy and when and how educators may encounter them in their work are examined. (MM)

The Alaska Supreme Court in Ravin v. State accepted the defendant's contention that the prohibition of possession of marihuana infringed on his constitutional right to privacy. The significance of the case is discussed. (LBH)

This article presents the substantial restriction of a plaintiff's case that may be accomplished by dismissal based upon a variance between the EEOC charge and the judicial complaint in Title VII cases. The cases examined demonstrate that there is little agreement or consistency in the opinions as to the effect of any variance on the judicial…

Wulff v. Singleton represents the first case in which a physician has been granted standing when his sole injury arose from the possibility that he might not be paid for performing abortions. It also represents the first time a physician, as opposed to his patient, has been held to be denied equal protection. The court's rationale is examined.…

Management attorneys, from different law firms, outline the potential constitutional pitfalls involved in drug testing public employees, and then set forth the factors that most likely will support the validity of testing programs and that are consistent both with employee dignity and the Constitution. (MLF)

To examine the status of opinion as protected speech, a study sought answers to three questions: (1) Is opinion protected under the constitution? (2) If protection exists for opinion, has it usurped the common law fair comment defense in libel litigation? and (3) How do the courts define opinion in the context of libel? Answers were sought in…

Questions the constitutional validity of employer sanctions used to deter illegal immigration under the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Points out the anomaly of using criminal penalties to deter a civil, administrative violation. (FMW)

Discusses the judicial principles of "suspect classifications" and "conclusive presumptions," particularly as they relate to the constitutional rights of children and attempts to formulate a tenable legal doctrine governing the rights of children and other "semi-discrete" minorities. Available from Law and Contemporary Problems, Duke Station,…

Discusses issues involved in the 1977 United States Court of Appeals decision in "Edwards vs National Audubon Society," which provided a First Amendment shield for the news report of one public figure's attack on the character or performance of another. (GT)

Presents activities for teaching high school students about the freedom of religion. Includes student handouts that explain basic constitutional principles and summarize leading U.S. Supreme Court cases concerning religious liberty. Encourages teachers to invite students to speculate on the future relationship of religion and public education. (SG)

Reviews recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions on school choice. Finds little doubt as to the basic constitutionality of a properly designed choice program. (SR)

This paper examines recent court decisions that indicate the extent of constitutional protection extended to opinionated statements made during broadcast commentaries. A brief overview of both the common law and constitutional privileges protecting the expression of opinion is also included in the paper. Specifically, the paper evaluates the…

This paper discusses the fair use doctrine added to the Copyright Revision Act, Public Law 94-553 (October, 1976). Fair use, an exception to the exclusive rights of copyright, is an assurance to the public of reasonable access to its heritage as guaranteed by the First and Ninth Amendments to the Constitution. Several important cases are described…

To provide a comparative perspective on the legalization of education, the author analyzes the role of the West German Federal Constitutional Court in shaping educational policy. He identifies two constitutional norms the court uses to interpret the relationship between education and the state: equal protection and the legitimacy of educational…

The doctrine of "state action" as a prerequisite to the application of federal civil rights laws is reviewed with reference to Jackson v. Statler Foundation, which the author sees as having adverse effects on the workings of charitable institutions, blocking innovation and experimentation through philanthropic grants from small…